FIA approves GM as F1 engine supplier from 2029

In a landmark moment for American motorsport, automotive giant General Motors has been officially approved by the FIA to become a Formula 1 power unit supplier starting in the 2029 season, a year later than initially planned. 

The news comes just weeks after the governing body officially granted the Cadillac F1 team a spot on the 2026 grid, with GM now set to become only the second U.S.-based manufacturer in the sport’s modern turbo-hybrid era.

For its first three seasons in Formula 1, Cadillac will rely on customer engines from Ferrari. But in 2029, GM will usher in a new chapter in the history of Grand Prix racing by competing with its own American-built power units.

The program is being spearheaded by GM Performance Power Units LLC, a newly created division in collaboration with TWG Motorsports, the parent company of Andretti Global, the original initiator of the F1 project.

“With this approval from the FIA, we will continue to accelerate our efforts to bring an American-built F1 power unit to the grid,” said Russ O’Blenes, CEO of GM Performance Power Units.

His statement confirms that a dedicated facility for engine development will open next year near GM’s Charlotte Technical Center in North Carolina – a hub for American racing innovation.

FIA Applauds GM’s Commitment to Innovation and Inclusivity

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem hailed the decision as milestone for the sport, reflecting the governing body’s efforts to expand Formula 1’s global reach and technological diversity.

“Welcoming GM Performance Power Units LLC. as an approved power unit supplier for the Championship starting in 2029 marks another step in the global expansion of Formula 1 and highlights the growing interest from world-class automotive manufacturers like General Motors,” Ben Sulayem said in an official statement.

“Their dedication to innovation, sustainability, and competition is fully aligned with the FIA’s vision for the future of our sport. It also strengthens our commitment to making motorsport more accessible and inclusive worldwide – welcoming new manufacturers, advancing technology, and connecting with a broader, more diverse fan base.”

GM’s entry deepens an already compelling grid of engine manufacturers. By 2029, its Cadillac team will go head-to-head with established powerhouses like Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull Powertrains (in partnership with Ford), as well as Audi, which joins in 2026.

As Formula 1’s 2026 regulation overhaul promises lighter, more electrified power units and sustainable fuels, GM’s timing sets the stage for a fresh era of transatlantic rivalry – and an American renaissance in Grand Prix racing.

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